The Gorreana tea manufacturing unit and plantations are a not-to-miss factor to do on São Miguel Island within the Azores. Gorreana is presently the one tea plantation in Europe. São Miguel island is likely one of the few islands the place tea grows. Throughout your go to to Gorreana, you may study tea manufacturing, take pleasure in breathtaking views of the tea fields, strive completely different native teas, and go on a hike.
What’s the oldest tea plantation in Europe?
Chá Gorreana manufacturing unit (Gorreana Tea) on São Miguel Island within the Azores is the oldest tea plantation in Europe. Cha Gorreana is presently the one tea plantation in Europe. This household enterprise has an extended historical past. The continual tea manufacturing on Gorreana tea plantations began in 1883. The primary tea seeds have been dropped at the island from Brazil within the early nineteenth century. By the center of the nineteenth century, there have been a number of tea plantations on the island.
When was tea launched on São Miguel Island?
Tea was aimed to substitute orange manufacturing. Lots of the orange plantations have been destroyed by the blight within the early nineteenth century. Until then oranges have been the principle Azorian export and the blight was threatening to set an financial disaster on the islands. It was determined to introduce various crops that may do nicely within the humid local weather in an effort to assist native farmers. Tea was one among them. Different crops included tobacco, candy potato, and pineapple.
The lack of understanding of Azorian farmers in rising tea brought about some struggles initially. The Sociedade Promotora da Agricultura Micaelense (SPAM) invited a tea grasp, Lau-a-Pan, to show native farmers the artwork of tea cultivation. And so the historical past of Azorean tea started.
By the top of the nineteenth century, attributable to main political and financial adjustments in Portugal, the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit was the one one on the island that might keep steady manufacturing of tea.
The place is the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit?
Gorreana tea manufacturing unit and plantations are positioned on the north coast of Sao Miguel Island, within the parish of Maia, 30 km from the capital metropolis of Ponta Delgada. São Miguel is the principle island of the Azores, an autonomous area of Portugal, in the course of the Atlantic Ocean.
The manufacturing unit is open to guests every day: Mon – Fri from 8 am to six pm; Sat and Solar from 9 am to six pm.
Easy methods to get to the Gorreana tea plantations?
Driving is the very best and easiest method of attending to the Cha Gorreana tea plantation from wherever on the island. We rented a automobile at Ponta Delgada Airport on arrival and dropped it off on departure. It was straightforward and fast for us although it is determined by the automobile supplier and your arrival time. On our departure day within the morning round 8 am we noticed many individuals on the automobile rental stalls on the airport.
It’s attainable to go to the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit with an organized tour. There are a number of tour choices.
What sort of tea is Gorreana?
The manufacturing unit produces 40 tons of tea per 12 months. Since 1883 the Gorreana manufacturing unit has been producing natural inexperienced and black tea. The manufacturing unit produces several types of tea. The completely different types of black tea embrace Moinha, Damaged Leaf, and Orange Pekoe. The primary inexperienced tea varieties produced at Gorreana are Hysson and Encosta de Bruma. I favor inexperienced tea and out of the completely different teas we tried Hysson was the very best tea for my part.
What are the advantages of tea?
Black and inexperienced tea come from the identical plant referred to as Camellia Sinensis. The kind of tea is determined by the way in which leaves are processed. All teas comprise substances referred to as polyphenols that are wealthy in antioxidants. Out of all teas, inexperienced tea has essentially the most focus of antioxidants. Research present that reasonable consumption of tea can have some well being advantages. Consumption of tea would possibly assist to scale back the chance of some persistent illnesses, can assist to regulate levels of cholesterol, and assist with weight administration.
Goreana manufacturing unit tour
You are able to do a free manufacturing unit tour on the Cha Gorreana to study tea cultivation and manufacturing. You may see the equipment that’s used to make tea on the Gorreana manufacturing unit and witness the method.
After the tour, you may take pleasure in a cup of tea on the cafe. Tea tasting is free. You may praise your tea with one of many native sweets. We actually appreciated their tea cookies. Inexperienced tea cookies with white chocolate have been our favorites. You should purchase Gorreana natural tea and different souvenirs on the manufacturing unit reward store. They promote tea luggage and tea leaves in packs of various sizes.
Gorreana tea plantations hikes
Climbing within the tea fields of Gorreana is an unimaginable expertise. The spectacular views of rolling hills coated in tea plantations surrounded by the ocean. There are two mountain climbing trails on the Cha Gorreana manufacturing unit: the Chá Gorreana round path (Pequenho rota round – PRC28) and the Caminho da Agua da Gorreana path (Trilho Municipal – TM05). Throughout your go to, you may stroll one among them or each when you’ve got sufficient time.
Chá Gorreana round path
Distance – 3,6 km/2,2 mi
Time – between 1 hour and 1h30min.
Ascent – 164 m
Descent – 169 m
Kind – a round path that may be walked in both path
Problem stage – straightforward
Route marking – picket poles with yellow and crimson stripes
Chá Gorreana Path is a ravishing route that goes via the Gorreana tea plantations providing gorgeous views of the tea fields and the coast. It’s a straightforward hike appropriate for folks with youngsters. We walked it with our 1.5-year-old daughter. She even walked a kilometer or so however many of the manner Campbell carried her in a backpack.
The Chá Gorreana Path begins throughout the highway from the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit. There isn’t a highway crossing so it’s a must to wait when there aren’t any vehicles. The route is totally on a large gravel highway with just a little little bit of a footpath. The start and the top of the path are via tea plantations whereas the center part is thru a forest space.
Chá Gorreana Path GPX
Caminho da Agua da Gorreana path
Distance – 2 km/1,2 mi, return
Time – between 40 minutes and 1 hour
Ascent – 58 m
Descent – 58 m
Kind – a linear path
Problem stage – straightforward
Route marking – picket poles with
This path is likely one of the hidden gems of the island. It’s a really brief route however you get to see the tea plantations, the indigenous forest of the Azores Islands, and a ravishing waterfall. The most effective factor concerning the path is that it’s very quiet. Most guests do the round route via the tea plantations and never many hike this path. This path could be very brief and straightforward and it goes via the Goreana tea plantations as nicely. For those who don’t have time to do the round hike you may simply rapidly do that one.
Caminho da Agua da Gorreana path GPX
Are there different tea factories on the island of São Miguel?
There are two tea factories on São Miguel Island the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit and the Porto Formoso tea manufacturing unit. The second is lesser identified there for visited by fewer vacationers. The Porto Formoso manufacturing unit is located in the identical space within the north of São Miguel, simply 2 km away from the Gorreana manufacturing unit. Not like the Gorreana the Porot Formoso was closed between 1980 and 2001 when it was reopened as a tea manufacturing unit once more. They provide guided excursions and tea tastings. The manufacturing unit is open for guests Mon to Sat from 9 am to six pm (5 pm within the winter).
Finest locations to remain close to the Gorreana tea plantations
We stayed for 3 nights at Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa and actually loved the place. It’s 24 km/15 mi away from the Gorreana tea manufacturing unit. The resort has good services, the rooms are spacious and the workers is useful. We (particularly our daughter) liked the indoor heated pool the place we spent hours on daily basis. The surface infinity pool seems to be wonderful as nicely nevertheless it was too chilly and windy to make use of it. The continental breakfast was nice. The meals on the resort restaurant was superb reside music each second night time is a bonus. I’d advocate reserving a room with a sea view.
Verify the charges and e book your room at Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa
There are various nice locations to remain in that a part of São Miguel
| Casa do Mar | Quinta de Santana | Resort Verde Mar & SPA |
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack somewhat than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
